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annieks's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Faiza's husband Tom has just been made redundant from his high flying banking job in the City, but he's not too worried as they have a £75K emergency fund to live off while he looks for another job. What he doesn't know is that Faiza has frittered away every penny in her quest to keep up and fit in with (as the only woman of colour) the uber-rich yummy mummies of affluent Wimbledon Village.
This well-paced and expertly plotted novel follows Faiza as she tries to get the family finances back on track while also covering up her financial indiscretions from Tom, trapping herself in an ever increasing spiral of lies.
Faiza, who is rich, privileged and entirely the author of her own misfortune, could be a difficult character to like, but Aliya Ali-Afzal does a great job with the characterisation, so that I rooted for her despite her flaws. Tom was also a well-drawn, sympathetic character who I cared about.
A real strength of this novel was the depiction of some serious issues - the microaggressions Faiza has to contend with from some of the white mothers in her social circle, the challenges of an interracial marriage and raising biracial children, sexual harassment, mental health and suicide - which were expertly woven into the broader plot so they never felt preachy or tacked on, but added extra layers of depth to what could have been, in less skilled hands, a shallow story about shallow people.
I listened to the audiobook version of Would I Lie to you, excellently narrated by Aysha Kala.
This well-paced and expertly plotted novel follows Faiza as she tries to get the family finances back on track while also covering up her financial indiscretions from Tom, trapping herself in an ever increasing spiral of lies.
Faiza, who is rich, privileged and entirely the author of her own misfortune, could be a difficult character to like, but Aliya Ali-Afzal does a great job with the characterisation, so that I rooted for her despite her flaws. Tom was also a well-drawn, sympathetic character who I cared about.
A real strength of this novel was the depiction of some serious issues - the microaggressions Faiza has to contend with from some of the white mothers in her social circle, the challenges of an interracial marriage and raising biracial children, sexual harassment, mental health and suicide - which were expertly woven into the broader plot so they never felt preachy or tacked on, but added extra layers of depth to what could have been, in less skilled hands, a shallow story about shallow people.
I listened to the audiobook version of Would I Lie to you, excellently narrated by Aysha Kala.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment